Your Resume Has 2 Minutes Or Less To Get Attention

Your Resume Has 2 Minutes Or Less To Get Attention

1. Make It Newsworthy

The hiring manager will invest most of their 30-second to 2-minute scan of your resume at the top, so it’s imperative that you put the most noteworthy content first. Furthermore, don’t be vague! Use significant metrics, accomplishments, and successes—and be specific. As you continue writing the resume you can go into greater detail under each individual place of employment.

2. Write For All Of Your Audiences

Resumes have two audiences: the applicant tracking software (ATS) scanning the resume for keywords, and the HR person reviewing the resume to ensure it’s a match. It needs to include the keywords ATS will be looking for when it scans your resume, but it also needs the right action verbs, accomplishments, and relevant achievements to win over the HR person. For a list of the best-ranked terms HR is looking for on your resume, check out this list.

3. Be Honest

Instances of job hopping, employment gaps, and long-term unemployment can be immediate deterrents for employers. Instead, focus on the benefits an employer receives by choosing you over someone else with similar experience.

For example, your unique subject matter expertise, verifiable successes (be specific here), and unmatched experience are all great tools to substantiate your candidacy. Leverage them on your resume! Don’t hesitate to address challenges in your cover letter. Recruiters appreciate honesty and directness. If you’ve taken two years off to care for an ailing family member, there’s no shame in it; and it shows you know how to prioritize and put others first—desirable qualities in any great employee.